by Tamryn Tamer
“Mmm,” Cassia cuddled up on the other side of him, pressing her large chest against him.
“Can’t you sleep somewhere else?” Lysandra asked, glaring at her mother.
“But I’m lonely,” Cassia whimpered as she stared at Lysandra. “You and your husband are the only ones that love me.”
“Fine,” Lysandra said. “But he’s mine.”
“I know,” Cassia sighed as she buried her face in Frost’s neck. “He’s yours. Who would want to take such an awful husband anyway?”
“An awful mother,” Lysandra grumbled.
CHAPTER 29
Frost woke up laying in a field of neon flowers, staring at a sky that appeared to be locked in a perpetual state of sunrise. He turned to his left to find a pair of violet eyes staring right at him.
“Mmm,” Cassia smiled while burying her face in his neck. “Looks like we get to spend some alone time together.”
“Alone?” Frost chuckled, gently pushing Cassia off as he climbed to his feet. A small path magically appeared in front of him as the neon flowers moved aside. In the distance was a small gazebo where three women and a man appeared to be having tea. “Not quite.”
“Well,” Cassia smiled while pulling Frost’s arm between her breasts. “Maybe we’ll have time for some fun after.”
“There’s never time,” Frost sighed as he stepped onto the path, finding himself instantly in front of the gazebo as if teleported.
“I refuse,” one of the women said while taking a sip of tea. She looked surprisingly ordinary compared to the other women at the table. Her hair was short with a rich chocolate brown color and her eyes were bluish green. Her body was similarly modest with nothing that really stood out. Even her clothing was simple, a priestly looking grey robe.
“I don’t really see how you’re in a position to refuse Rili,” Shalia said politely. “But we can circle back to that later. Sebastian is here.”
“Frost,” he corrected as he took a seat next to Shalia.
“My goddess,” Cassia bowed politely at Shalia before glaring at the other women. “Vermin.”
“I thought you said she’s changed,” the third woman said. She was a gorgeous pale-skinned beauty with burning blonde hair and glowing golden eyes. A tired looking middle-aged blonde man with a beard sat next to her. “But your prophet is just as disrespectful as ever.”
“What was that? Squeak squeak squeak?” Cassia said while glaring at the blonde. “I’m afraid that I don’t speak vermin.”
“That’s enough Cassia,” Shalia said politely while tapping her lap. “I’ll let you sit on my lap as long as you’re polite to my sisters.”
“Shalia!” Cassia rushed onto Shalia’s lap before the goddess could change her mind, cuddling into the busty white-haired woman. The two looked like mother and daughter as Cassia smiled happily while sitting on the violet-eyed goddess’ lap. “I’ll be good!”
“I assume Rili is Riliandra,” Frost said, nodding at the brown-haired woman. She nodded politely, confirming his guess and he turned to the blonde. “I’m just going to guess Ziralia.”
“That would be correct Herald Frost,” the woman said, nodding while gesturing at the man beside her. “This is my prophet, Xavier.”
“Herald Frost,” the man nodded politely in his direction.
“Hm,” Frost grabbed one of the teacups and it instantly filled with tea. “So, I assume this is some sort of intervention for killing Elias and Magnus?”
“Hm? No. We arranged for that to happen,” Shalia said, gently stroking Cassia’s hair as the prophet rested her head on her shoulder.
“I sent Elias to Zira. I promised that if he were to convert you and eliminate King Asmund that I would forgive his trespasses,” Riliandra said, glancing at Frost. “Shalia assured me that you would take the opportunity to kill him.”
“Well,” Shalia said pensively. “I couldn’t imagine Sebastian allowing him to live after he tried to kill Desdemona.”
“Frost,” he corrected.
“I had Xavier encourage Magnus to seek out Elias and plant the idea of using the engagement discussion to eliminate King Asmund,” Ziralia said. “I also informed him of your activities to ensure that he would be adequately primed against you. It was only a matter of time before he came up with a reason to attack you. Although, you really must thank Brynn for me. She really is a wonderful follower.””
“I assured Ziri that you could defeat Magnus,” Shalia said. “She was a bit skeptical though.”
“Okay,” Frost said, pointing at Riliandra. “I understand your motivation. You wanted Elias dead because he basically pushed Rilia to ruin.” He turned to Ziralia. “But why did you want Magnus dead?”
“Magnus was a wonderful herald when he was younger,” Ziralia said. “Unfortunately, he changed. A replacement was needed and as long as he was alive, no replacement could be summoned. Connections between worlds are difficult to maintain so we’re limited to one prophet and one herald.”
“That reminds me. The portal thing. Do I count for you or Shalia?” Frost asked Riliandra.
“Shalia,” Riliandra answered, sipping her tea. “She might have stolen my gate and siphoned off the strength of my followers, but I have no connection with you. After I find a new prophet, I’ll be able to summon a new herald. In the meantime, we’ve decided to form an alliance.”
“An alliance?” Frost looked at Shalia for an answer but the goddess looked completely disinterested as she stroked Cassia’s hair. “You mean that was an option?”
“Not before,” Shalia said, shaking her head. “Rili and Ziri were both convinced that they would win the entire continent so they had no reason to form an alliance. But in the absence of both a prophet and a herald, Rili will lose an enormous amount of power. Ziri’s also in a difficult position because Tarr’s followers are attacking her in the north and the followers of Movodos are attacking her in the south. If Rilia’s new king were to attack, she could potentially lose an enormous amount of support. It could set them back hundreds of years.”
“It’s not just Rilia. If the Herald of Tarr sends troops to reinforce Balar they could potentially invade,” Ziralia said. “With the death of Magnus, he may decide that it’s a good time to strike.”
“We care about gaining followers and we’re far more likely to lose followers in a war than gain them,” Riliandra said. “So, it benefits all of us to work together at this junction.”
“Tarr is on a bit of a win streak,” Shalia said, nuzzling Cassia’s hair. “He’s normally only as strong as Ziri but right now he’s as strong as Ziri and Rili combined.”
“Which is why an alliance benefits all of us,” Ziralia said. “We can focus on increasing and recovering our power instead of acting against each other. It’ll allow us to focus on our more pressing enemies.”
“I have no issue with any of this,” Frost said. “Peace is profitable. But I don’t see what any of this has to do with me.”
“We are expected to assist each other,” Xavier said after staying quiet throughout the meeting. “If we are allies, I may contact you and request your assistance. For instance, if a dangerous warlord needs to be eliminated.”
“And if I refuse?” Frost asked, not wanting to be drawn into conflicts.
“It’s a relationship,” the man shrugged. “It’s no different than any other relationship. If you assist me then I’ll assist you. For instance, sitting in Herald Law’s old office right now are over a hundred requests for relocation from demihuman villages. All of them are seeking relocation to Blackwater. Obviously, they intended to relocate and then escape to your territory. I can arrange for that paperwork to be expedited as a favor.”
“Okay,” Frost nodded. “What warlord needs killing?”
“That was just an example,” he said, looking bored. “At the moment the only request I would have would be relating to information. It’s come to my attention that you have accumulated mountains of what you would call leverage and I would call
evidence against various noble families. I would like that evidence.”
“Why?” Frost asked. “So, you can bury it?”
“So that I can present it to King Leaucault and get permission to prosecute them,” Xavier said. “The herald may be dead but the wheels of justice will continue to turn. While prosecuting nobles is troublesome, it’s not impossible. When the new herald is summoned, I would prefer they view me as neither lazy nor incompetent. Imprisoning or executing a few dozen nobles is a wonderful way to accomplish that.”
“Then I don’t have nobles that I can leverage,” Frost chuckled while shaking his head. “You’re basically eliminating vulnerabilities.”
“It crossed my mind,” Xavier said. “But you are still benefiting from that leverage. I will ensure that transfers to Blackwater are immediately pushed through the approval process. They will be permitted to use main roads and cross through villages and outposts. They will be able to travel safely. Relatively speaking of course. The roads being as they are.”
“I’ll think about it,” Frost said.
“I would also like something,” Riliandra said, putting down her teacup. “When I find a new prophet, I will need you to introduce them to King Asmund and advocate for them.”
“And what are you offering?” Frost asked. “King Asmund and I already have a solid working relationship. I really don’t see what you’re bringing to the table here.”
“He has a point,” Shalia said.
“What would you like?” Riliandra asked calmly.
“Hm,” Frost said, trying to think of what the goddess could offer. An idea formed in the back of his head and a wicked smirk followed it. “I know. I will assist your Prophet if they’re a demihuman.”
“Ha!” Cassia laughed as Shalia stifled her own laughter.
“I believe you may have some misconceptions about us,” Riliandra sighed as she shifted between several different demihuman appearances as if to show how little she cared about her looks. “Humans are the most abundant species on Nivara and the most powerful. I don’t choose humans because I prefer them. I choose humans because it’s more effective to tell humans that they are special and superior if I want to gain them as followers.”
“I’m familiar with the practice,” Frost said. “In my world, we were experts at it. But I want you to choose a cute demihuman woman as a prophet.”
“I believe he intends to sleep with your herald,” Ziralia said.
“Most likely,” Shalia agreed.
“Is that true?” Riliandra sighed.
“Probably,” Frost smirked. “But, mostly I’d just prefer looking at a cute demihuman than somebody like Xavier.”
“You certainly live up to your reputation Herald Frost,” Xavier said, clearly meaning it as an insult.
“The prophet will have a much more difficult time,” Riliandra said. “But very well. A cute demihuman female.”
“Wonderful,” Shalia said, clapping her hands. “Now, what would you all like to do for the remainder of the time?”
“I have things to do,” Ziralia answered. “Worlds to visit and a new herald to find.”
“And I need to find a cute demihuman prophet,” Riliandra said, standing up.
“I hope we’ll talk again soon. I do miss being able to spend time with you as friends,” Shalia said as the women faded away, along with Xavier.
“Now,” Shalia said, turning her attention to Frost. “What would you like to do with our remaining time?”
“I have some ideas,” Cassia said, sliding her hands down Shalia’s sides.
“Why bother,” Frost sighed as the world around him began to fade away. “I already know what’s going to happen you tease.”
“Maybe next time,” Shalia said as she began to fade away.
“Maybe,” Frost chuckled as everything faded to black.
Frost’s mind floated through various dreams ranging from simple day to day activities to filthy fantasies until he eventually started to wake up.
He opened his eyes to find Cassia and Lysandra still wrapped around him. Neither woman gave him so much as an inch of wiggle room as they pressed their naked bodies against him. He sighed and stared at the ceiling.
Frost heard a bang as the door to the room flew open and saw Renna walking in with a box of her inventions. The emerald-eyed elf immediately froze, her eyes scanning up and down the bed as she realized what had transpired.
“You and your damn old woman fetish!” Renna yelled, slamming her box of toys on the table in the corner. “I was sleeping with Cassia for a month and you refused to join us but I break up with her for two days and you’re in bed with her and that other dried up old crone!”
“Hm?” Lysandra yawned as she woke up. She looked at Frost and smiled, but it quickly faded as she remembered her mother was on the other side of him. “Oh, right.”
“In my bed too!” Renna stomped her foot as tears streamed down her cheeks. “You had fun in my bed without me!”
“You come into my bed all the time,” Lysandra said defensively.
“That’s different!” Renna said. “This is my bed and Herald Frost has never stayed the night in my bed before even when I invited him! But you ancient hags…”
“Huh?” Cassia woke up and as soon as she saw Renna she buried her face in a pillow. “She hates me again!”
“You’re not over her?” Frost asked, glancing at Cassia.
“Of course, I’m not over her!” Cassia wailed. “I love her! She’s smart and funny and beautiful!”
“Fucking hell,” Frost groaned, trying to pull his arms out from beneath the two white-haired elves.
“Fucking hell is right!” Renna said, kicking off her shoes. “And don’t you dare try to get up! You’re not leaving my bed until we make love in it!”
“I don’t think this is really a good time,” Frost said as Cassia cried.
“I-it’s o-okay,” Cassia sniffled as she stared at Renna. “S-she already h-hates me! I d-don’t w-want her to h-hate me more!”
“I don’t hate you, you old whore!” Renna snapped as she pulled her shorts down along with her blue striped satin panties. “I just don’t want to marry you!”
“It’s the same thing!” Cassia cried.
“This is why I broke up with you!” Renna growled as she removed her tube top, revealing her petite chest. “I’m marrying Herald Frost! If you’re fine with that and stop you’re crying I’ll keep fucking you!”
“Y-you’ll keep fucking me?” Cassia said hopefully. “You mean like a mistress?”
“Sure,” Renna said while slowly removing her panties. “Or like some old whore I shove my fist in when I’m bored.”
“Fuck Renna,” Frost chuckled.
“She likes being talked to like that,” Renna said, yanking the blanket down.
“Like an official mistress?” Cassia said hopefully. “Like you’ll buy me gifts and…”
“The only gift you’re getting is a buzzer down the throat if you keep talking,” Renna snapped as she climbed on Frost. “Now, let me just enjoy this.”
“Yeah,” Frost groaned as Renna’s warm cunt wrapped around his cock. “Let her just enjoy this.”
“We’re never going to get rid of her, are we?” Lysandra sighed as she watched Renna bouncing up and down on Frost’s cock.
“Nope,” Frost groaned. “Although I’m not sure that I’d want to.”
“I’m going to be a mistress,” Cassia giggled excitedly. “She does love me.”
CHAPTER 30
The Duke finished his glass of wine and headed up to his office to sort through paperwork, a nightly ritual that he’d become accustomed to. He found that reviewing everything in the evening gave him ample time to think through his options before the next day.
His various business ventures were doing well and despite some mild setbacks with various criminal cartels, he was still well into the black for the year.
Generally, his legitimate investments had always yielded mild payoff
s and frequently failed to yield a profit for several years. His best investment was building textile factories in various demihuman villages and forcing them to work the factories for minimal pay.
Normally, nobles would avoid purchasing anything crafted by demihumans but he managed to get around that by having all of the textiles assembled by a high-end boutique that he was also invested in. He didn’t really need to tell the nobles that the fabric was created by those inferior creatures as long as the gowns and coats themselves were crafted by artisans.
Things were going smoothly for the most part until recently. Hundreds of those animals were requesting transfers to Blackwater. Fortunately, he was able to intercept those requests and make sure they never made it to the capital. The last thing he needed was an exodus of workers.
The only good thing that came of their idiotic requests was the realization that the beasts were all trying to head to Blackwater.
He realized that any of the filthy animals that wanted to reach Blackwater would need to pass through Cern or Ornell to get there. Both territories resided on Blackwater’s eastern border, although Cern occupied three fourths of it while Ornell merely occupied a small segment in the north.
Naturally, if his territory covered seventy-five percent of the border, seventy-five percent of the demis seeking to sneak through to Blackwater would have to pass through his territory.
He could have stopped them from passing through and returned them to their respective villages in whatever territories they were traveling from, but there was no profit in that. Instead, he made sure that certain routes were heavily guarded and others were completely unguarded.
It didn’t take long for word to spread amongst the stupid creatures that some paths were safer than others. Once he could predict their paths, he could predict where they would cross the border into Blackwater and give that information to slavers.
Of course, he needed to hide his involvement. Since slavery was illegal in Zira, the slavers could only sell to Seera and Seera was an enemy nation. Technically, his actions could be considered treasonous since Seera was in desperate need of new slaves and he was complicit in supplying them. But proving it would be difficult.